Graduation: Our Changing Lives

By Tiffany Battle on October 14, 2016

As graduation approaches, my mind is turning with questions about where I’m going in life, how I’ll cope with the changes, and what I’m supposed to do to prepare for it. This big of a change is intimidating, and I know I’m not the only one with concerns. I’ve addressed three of the biggest questions burning in my mind, questions that may not always feel have clear-cut answers.

  1. What if I can’t find a job?
    Although it can be a terrifying notion, you absolutely cannot let this thought paralyze you. Remember, you now have a college degree under your belt. Forget the pessimistic viewpoint that any certain degree is “useless”. Whether you majored in art history or biology, the workforce has a place for you. The analytic thinking, writing, and comprehensive skills you’ve gained along the road to your Bachelor’s give you an edge to the competition who haven’t. You’ll be surprised to find how many people do not have these skills that you probably take for granted. Not to mention the stamina and discipline that college-level courses require of you- these are all qualities that have molded you into the type of person employers seek.

    https://pixabay.com/en/academia-academic-board-business-1293362/

    pixabay.com

  2. What will my life look like without school?
    School has been your life since kindergarten, and possibly even before. Especially for those of us who didn’t take time off after high school before heading straight off to college, school has been one of the only constants in our lives. After you walk the stage on graduation night, that constant will be gone. Perhaps you’ll go to graduate school or med school, and this may not freak you out as much. But for those of us who know we aren’t or don’t yet know, this is the end of an incredibly long era (the majority of our existence). What will you do when you don’t have a paper due in two weeks, or a test to study for? Change is difficult, but you shouldn’t let it scare you. Maybe it doesn’t feel like it right now, but this is a positive change. You’ve survived some of the hardest classes, years, and situations of your life. Adjusting will be hard, but mostly it will just feel weird for a while, until you figure out the next “constant” of your life. A career, a marriage, having children, traveling the world. Whatever it is will soon fill your life back up.

    https://pixabay.com/en/arrow-change-start-new-beginning-945272/

    pixabay.com

  3. What should I do to prepare myself for graduation?
    Don’t slack off. It may seem like you’re out of the woods, but you need to end on a positive note. You should be preparing for your next step in life during these last few months. Sharpen up your resume. FSU has an excellent Career Center that will help you learn how to market yourself and find employers. Utilize it. Go to businesses or organizations and speak with them directly. Tell them you’ll be graduating soon, are looking for employment, and would love to learn more about the opportunities they have. Being proactive is the only way to ensure you’ll have a job lined up after graduation. In addition to this, remember to have fun. Go out with your friends, read in your favorite spot on campus, and soak up the university life. Maybe you’ll be back, but maybe you won’t. You’ll want to remember the joys of being an “almost adult” for the rest of your life.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/marketing-school-business-idea-21696/

pexels.com

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